[Endoprosthesis of the knee joint in sequelae of tuberculous gonitis]

The paper analyzes endoprosthesis of the knee joint in sequelae of tuberculous gonitis in 19 patients and in 10 patients after nonspecific gonitis. The patients' age was 32 to 73 years. Clinically, all the patients third- and fourth-degree gonarthrosis with significant pain and a 15-25 degrees restriction of articular function. X-ray and computed tomographic data indicated destructive changes in the condyles of the femur and tibia, osteoporosis, cysts and cavities, these are typical residual sequelae of sustained tuberculous gonitis. In all cases, endoprosthesis of the knee joint was made by using Johnson-Johnson and Osteonix prostheses. Clinical and functional assessments showed that excellent and good results were obtained in 17 (58.6%) patients, satisfactory results were seen in 11 (37.9%). In one case there was a poor outcome with fibrous contracture of the knee joint after prior nonspecific gonitis with valgus deformity.